Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course highlights key problems of both physical and human dimensions of global change and analyses their origins, patterns and prognoses for the future. Learning is accomplished by lectures, readings and participation in class debates on major issues. Extensive use of contemporary sources (print and television current affairs, news reports and commentaries etc) can be anticipated.
This course activelyﾠ examines ﾠthe knowledge bases and tools used to investigate global changes and for developing and applying approaches to understand, and address these from local to global scales. In doing so, the physical, biological, social, economic, cultural and human dimensions of global changeﾠ processes will be explored and integrated. The course examinesﾠ how we understand global changes, and uses this to develop potential actions for sustainable societies from local to global scales.ﾠﾠ Students are exposed to key topics associated with global changes and will be expected to gain an appreciation of global change ﾠissues, and how we can can take actions in professional and personal contexts to address these.ﾠ Course materials include:ﾠ lecture (on-line) and tutorial (in-person) participation, actions, and anﾠ integrative-reflective project essay.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course attracts students with diverse backgrounds spanning the arts and sciences. There are no formal pre-requisite courses that you have to complete. This course does not assume a specialised or technical knowledge of the scientific aspects to be addressed. Students should bring with them academic skills appropriate to 3000 level courses such as effective written and spoken communication and the ability to critically read published material.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM3210
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Mr Al Healy
Dr Thomas Sigler
Professor James Watson
Associate Professor Aude Bernard
Tutor
Ms Gillian Rowan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
NA
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide a detailed overview to students of issues associated with global change, particularly different knowledge systems, and geo-spatial tools used to develop and communicate an understanding of local to global scale changes, especially the linked human and physical dimensions of global change processes.
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This aim will be achieved through buildingﾠunderstanding through reading, discussions and reflections on the content of course material and research/knowledge synthesis achieved in compilation of the assignments.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Action Plan - Global Changes and Solutions, includes - Integrating Reading, Lecture and Tutorial Discussions | 25% |
28/08/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Reflection |
Action Evaluation - Global Changes and Solutions
|
35% |
16/10/2025 2:00 pm
In additional to submitting the written component, you must attend Practicals in Weeks 12 AND 13, and be ready to give your presentation when called upon (unless alternative arrangements approved in advance). |
| Essay/ Critique, Project |
Understanding and Working with Global Changes - Reflective journal and integrative questions (every 2 weeks)
|
40% |
28/10/2025 2:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Action Plan - Global Changes and Solutions, includes - Integrating Reading, Lecture and Tutorial Discussions
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
28/08/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
The primary objectives of this assessment are:
(1) To reflect on our discussions and materials covered in Lectures, Readings and Tutorials in Weeks 1-4 and use this information to select a suitable "Global change action"
(2) To plan how to build a detailed understanding of one type of "global change", including its known causes/drivers, impacts and approaches taken to reduce negative impacts of this change; and
(3) To plan an action you can take to address the actual and potential impacts of your selected "global change" and how you assess the effectiveness of that action
Why an Action? In previous years, students have become disheartened about the scale and scope of global change. Identifying a meaningful action you can take at a local level will reinforce the connection between the course material and your local concerns. "Actions" can take many forms, from professional to personal activities. At professional levels this may be in relation to: changing how your agency, company or group operates; the type(s) of work it does, specific projects; or how your workplace functions. At a personal level, this could include changes you make to your behaviours/lifestyle, or participation in volunteer activities etc.
In the planning/proposal stage and final report, you will be assessed on your reflection and evaluation of the action, not the action itself.
This is an individual task.
For this assessment item prepare an "Action Plan" using the following headings in a structured document, up to 2500 words, (include figures, tables and references if helpful). References are not included in the word limit:
Action Plan Headings:
i) Title page
ii) Table of Contents
iii) Declaration of AI Generated Content
1. Reflection on discussions and materials from Tutorials 1-4 (weeks 1-4) and relevant literature to justify selection of both the 'global change' of interest and the action you will implement.
2. For your selected global change - what types of Actions been taken to adapt or manage it previously?
3. Outline the action you will take and its expected outcomes.
4. Outline the process(es) you will use to assess how effective your action was
5. References
Examples of “actions” you could take include:
- research an issue and write to your local Member of Parliament about it (eg climate change policy, energy policy, environmental conservation policy) or local councillor (eg urban planning, transport planning, bikeways, green space)
- join a volunteer event/group, eg planting on campus, community garden, refugee support
- join an advocacy event, eg a protest, march etc
- assist with a citizen science initiative (eg bird observations, classifying coral online)
- make change in your home or workplace - eg reduce waste, identify energy policy and discuss with decision makers how to change
Example of what is not a suitable “action”:
Discussing a global change concept or response with family, friends, colleagues.
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to extension applications.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.
For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Action Evaluation - Global Changes and Solutions
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Reflection
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
16/10/2025 2:00 pm
In additional to submitting the written component, you must attend Practicals in Weeks 12 AND 13, and be ready to give your presentation when called upon (unless alternative arrangements approved in advance).
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited, Secure.
Task description
The primary objectives of this assessment are:
An evaluation report on the implementation and effectiveness of an action you took to address the actual and potential impacts of a selected "global change".
For this assessment item prepare a report on the activities you conducted and evaluated in response to your "Action Plan" using the following headings in a structured document, up to 1000 words, (include figures, tables and references if helpful). References are not included in the word limit:
Action Evaluation Report Structure:
1. Title page
2. Table of contents
3. Declaration of AI Generated Content
4. Introduction - Outline the action you took and justify its selection
5. Output and Outcomes - Describe the result(s) of your action and the impact(s)/outcome(s) it produced. Include evidence (e.g. photos of activity, copies of letters to politicians)
6. Evaluation - Describe how effectively the implementation of your action went, and how you determined it met the intended aim and outcomes
7. Next steps - Describe how your action could be more effectively implemented by others in future.
8. References
You will also need to present a 5-minute critical analysis of your action plan to the class in week 12 or 13, following submission of the report in week 11:
Action Evaluation Presentation Structure:
1. Brief description of project aims and context
2. Critical analysis of project
Some advice: Refer to the Student Support website and the Graphic Presentation tutorial for information on the presentation of your assessment item. Please consult Student Services website (www.uq.edu.au/student ) for workshops and general advice on essay writing. The Library also offers workshops in the use of EndNote bibliographic referencing software.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to extension applications.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.
For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Understanding and Working with Global Changes - Reflective journal and integrative questions (every 2 weeks)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Project
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
28/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
The primary objectives of this assessment are:
A workbook outlining your reflections on dimensions of global change covered in Weeks 1- 12. The workbook will include questions to synthesize and integrate ideas from class discussions, lecture material and your own reading or other knowledge. The final workbook will be a structured report up to 3000 words, incorporating figures (images, diagrams, maps, animations etc), tables and references in support of your work. References and captions are not included in the word limit:
Report Structure:
1. Title page
2. Table of contents -
3. Declaration of AI Generated Content
4. Introduction - background to topic, and outline of main points covered in your report. [1 page ]
5. Reflections on dimensions of global change covered in Weeks 1- 12, leading to a deeper understanding of one or more types of "global change", [8-10 pages]
6. Answers to Integrative questions from weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12
8. Conclusions - the future of global changes and solutions . [1 page ]
9. Reference List [no set length]
10. Appendices [supporting materials - no set length]
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to extension applications.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.
For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Additional course grading information
Assessment Hurdle
In order to pass this course, you must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):
You must obtain 50% or more on Assessment item Action Evaluation - Global Changes and Solutions
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to the UQ website for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
- Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
- For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension
- For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184
- Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin
By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment.”
All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after five days, will receive zero.
In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Please consult the School of the Environment "Current Students" andﾠ your My.UQ websites for information on essay writing and graphic presentation (available at https://environment.uq.edu.au/current-students). It is essential that you consult this material prior to submitting your assessment. You are also required to complete the University's Academic Integrity online tutorial. It will be assumed that you are familiar with the basics of academic integrity and display these principles in your assessment.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Lecture |
Week 1: Introduction: Global Changes - Local to Global Solutions Global Changes - Local to Global Solutions, course profile discussion, introductory concepts, core skill building (reflective writing) |
|
Lecture |
Week 2: Global Change and National "Security/Securities": Which one and Why ? Approaches for sustainable environments and societies: Review and discussion of approaches and ways forwards with - conservation, technology, natural capital - ecosystem services, traditional knowledge and practices. |
|
Lecture |
Week 3: Sustainable Cities The Future of Human Settlements |
|
Lecture |
Week 4: Understanding and Actions: Environmental Sociology and Political Sciences - Environmental Sociology and Political Sciences Understanding and Actions: Environmental Sociology and Political Sciences - Environmental Sociology and Political Sciences |
|
Lecture |
Week 5: How to measure change - Earth System Science and Science to Actions How to measure change - Earth System Science and Science to Actions |
|
Lecture |
Week 6: Global Climate Change - Collective Human Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation? Global Climate Change - Collective Human Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation? |
|
Lecture |
Week 7: How Natural Catastrophic Events Create Global Change How Natural Catastrophic Events Create Global Change |
|
Lecture |
Week 8: - The Anthropocene: How Human Beings Changed the World The Anthropocene: How Human Beings Changed the World - What are our next steps ?This lecture examines a newly defined geological period - The Anthropocene |
|
Lecture |
Week 9: Spaceship Earth: This lecture examines human population dynamics and the carrying capacity of the Earth. Spaceship Earth: This lecture examines human population dynamics and the carrying capacity of the Earth. |
|
Lecture |
Week 10: - Global Biodiversity his lecture examines global biodiversity and whether we are heading into the sixth mass extinction event in Earth's history. |
|
Lecture |
Week 11: Circular Bioeconomy and Industrial Ecology: Pathways to Food and Water Security in a Changing World Global Changes - Food and Water Securities - Roles of Industrial Ecology ? |
|
Lecture |
Week 12: Indigenous experiences of global change Indigenous experiences of global change |
|
Lecture |
Week 13: Where to?: The future prospects for understanding and responding to global change and the course wrap up. This lecture examines global biodiversity and whether we are heading into the sixth mass extinction event in Earth's history. |
|
Tutorial |
Week 1: Introduction to Global Changes Discussion of course profile and its main elements; clarification of assessment; interactive activities |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Week 2: Global Change and Security: Which one and Why ? Climate, Food, Ecological National ? Global Change and Security: Which one and Why ? Climate, Food, Ecological National |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Week 3: Sustainable cities: The future of human settlements Sustainable cities: The future of human settlements |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Week 4: Human-Societal-Cultural Dimensions of Global Changes Human-Societal-Cultural Dimensions of Global Changes |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Week 5: Actions for Adapting and Mitigating Global Change Impoacts? Actions for Adapting and Mitigating Global Change Impoacts? |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Week 6: Six Degrees of Warming: The possible impacts of 6 degrees of warming on the Earth Six Degrees of Warming: The possible impacts of 6 degrees of warming on the Earth |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Week 7: Collapse and Resilience: Examines how human societies have responded to periods of environmental change - both natural and anthropogenic. Collapse and Resilience: Examines how human societies have responded to periods of environmental change - both natural and anthropogenic. |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Week 8: The Anthropocene : Examination of the Anthropocene period. The Anthropocene : Examination of the Anthropocene period. |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Week 9: Spaceship Earth: What is a sustainable human population? Spaceship Earth: What is a sustainable human population? |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Week 10: - The Sixth Extinction: Examines mass extinction events The Sixth Extinction: Examines mass extinction events and debate whether people are responsible for the next event + instructions to prepare Action Evaluations on a slide for wk 13 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Week 11: Food Production, Sustainability and Security Food Production, Sustainability and Security |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Week 12: Indigenous experiences of global change Indigenous experiences of global change |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.